Unfortunately, the way clipping masks get translated to print can be unexpected due to the fact that the vector programs or interpreters used in production environments might not “see” the clipping masks. This guide shows how to use clipping masks and how to safely prepare them for print environments.

How to use clipping masks

This example begins with a simple word, “CLIPPING”. The goal will be to “clip” off the top edge of the word.

A clipping path (at this point it can be considered just a regular path) is drawn over the section of the word that needs to be be visible in the final result. With both the clipping path and the word “CLIPPING” selected, the drop down menu presents the option “Make clipping mask”. Alternatively the shortcuts Cmd+7(Mac) or Ctrl+7(Windows) can be used.

The final result, of course, “clips” off the top of the word, leaving a completely transparent space. The transparency is important to note, as in alternate solutions where a white cover-up box might be used, the final result is not as “clean”. Also note in the layers panel, the clipping path is identified with an underline.

Upon imagining the possibilities with typographic or geometric clipping paths, one can begin to see the power of clipping paths in the creative workflow. It is also worth emphasizing the non destructive nature – words or shapes can be edited as if they were complete and unaltered despite their “clipped” appearance.

Dealing with the issues

The real issue with clipping masks is that vector programs used in production environments might not “see” the clipping masks. In other words in the example above, the word “CLIPPING” might get printed with a big black square over it. Mac users can get a taste of this by previewing an Illustrator file with a clipping mask: Not what one would expect!

The solution is simple – the visible shapes need to be “flattened” into literal vector shapes. Note that this can be done as one of the last steps before a handover as to preserve the clipping masks as long as possible.

All clipping mask elements must be expanded before continuing! Once all elements, including type are expanded, simply select them all and hit “Crop” in the pathfinder window.

The beauty of a final design outlined in literal vector paths is unrivaled. Send it off to the client!

Conclusion

The inherent issues that clipping masks have in print environments should not deter anyone from using them. This tutorial shows just how easy it is to overcome those problems while maintaining and exploring all the creative possibilities that clipping masks provide.

Questions or comments about using clipping masks in Illustrator? Post below!

Any comments?

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Tadaam

Apr 13 2015

From my experience:
1. use shortcuts, its way faster to make a clipping mask;
2. they are clipping masks for a reason, to make everything faster and safer on use;
3. don’t try to use pathfinder on a complex group of objects, will get you in trouble;

Clipping path do not generate errors, that is wrong and is the first time i hear this. I have pre-press experience enough to say this. I can also say that might happen, for example, if you open an .ai file with corel draw or vice versa. There are general rules what you can do and not do every time and a professional will know that.

As for the RIP is concerned: PDF is the way to go, and NO rip will say anything about your masks contained in the pdf but will know its there. Unless its a 1980 rip which i doubt might exist anymore.

Conclusion: clipping masks are safe, don’t be scared to use them. If you want to go further and sleep well at night (at the beginning of career), use workerbee solution as well as is a way safe and might work like a tranquilizing shot 🙂

Tadaam, thanks for contributing. I’ve added the clipping mask shortcuts to the article. Also it’s true that most production environments will have no issue with clipping masks. This tutorial is simply the fool proof file preparation. It could also be said however that “flattening” clipping masks makes the entire file easier to navigate for anyone in the production process who needs to make small adjustments in color, shapes, or otherwise: This is because there are no hidden shapes that would otherwise need to be sorted through in the layers panel.

Tadaam

Apr 13 2015

Its all variable. What is easy for some, may be hard for others. Adobe offers various tools to get the jobs done correctly and from my point of view, i would prefer a mask to be there so i know what shape was there and how to react to any request because i know how to use the application.
One rough example why is bad a trim in your example: client decides one day that he would like the word CLIPPING to be cut a bit up and you (as in the initial designer) are nowhere to be found, then what? And the answers can be quite many but not a easy task to complete what client needs now.

workerbee

Apr 13 2015

I agree with you that that is one downside to “flattening”. Personally I prefer to prepare the file in a way that has the best chance of getting to the paper properly. I have no concern for potential future designers that want to take over my design work, which surfaces another benefit – clients have to bring the work back to the original designer. In the event that designer is nowhere to be found, perhaps the client is at fault for hiring an irresponsible designer.

Also it should be said that the unflattened files should be kept! Especially in the event the work is brought back for alteration.

Tadaam

Apr 13 2015

Is not client’s fault that he needed the change when you are on vacation, clients are hard to predict 🙂 Anyway, these are rough, maybe improbable moments but worth to mention.

I prefer not to trick any client into coming back because i have the original files and i know how it was done but i usually impress them by doing my job and they come back for more work. I can prove that: look at my 1-to-1.

To conclude again within the post: i use masks and i am happy with them and i never had any issue.

workerbee

Apr 13 2015

Thanks again for your input. I can see how my previous comment looked like a “trick”. In reality perhaps it’s just a way to have them consult you about changes – it’s easy enough to pass on the saved clipping mask files if the work relationship isn’t right. It’s also an option to send both file versions up front. I would never recommend ay designer hold design files “hostage”. At the end of the day though, the client owns copyright to the design, not the layered design files.

Tadaam

Apr 13 2015

Out of curiosity: can you give me an example where clipping mask had a issue with a rip?

workerbee

Apr 13 2015

Glad to hear! Your last comment was valid though – I don’t know of any RIPs that have issues with clipping masks. Unfortunately not all production environments use RIPs, especially small scale shops (which I am more familiar with), and some might even use non-Adobe vector software to make quick fixes before going through the RIP.

With that said a lot of work from 99 likely goes to major print companies like Vista Print or Moo. In those cases you are absolutely right that clipping masks need not be “flattened”. Perhaps in most scenarios good judgment can bypass the fool proof method, but for instances of doubt there is this article. 🙂

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